The rebel group M23 has been causing conflicts and violence in DRC. This decision to cut GBP21 billion of aid funds to Rwanda follows on from an earlier decision in July also to cut a GBP16 billion aid provision (though that had been revoked).
By cutting aid to Rwanda, the UK is stating that it sides against Rwanda government's activities. Should the UK even have a say in another country's decisions? What about some negative effects of cutting aid so abruptly, e.g. a sudden reduction in money may mean some social poverty reduction schemes can't continue. How much is Rwanda dependent on the UK for aid ?
I think this news made me think about the political nature of aid and how countries in the "Global North" can directly affect a poorer nation's welfare by cutting their aid. Aid itself is problematic because we still are't clear whether it can help a country develop or grow to follow a Western model of economic development. Aid is also political - the UK gov. claims that they will continue to help Rwanda reduce poverty by pumping in aid. Yet, most of the citizens in Rwanda live in poverty. How effective is aid and why does the UK insist on giving aid to Rwanda ?
2) An American company has developed new technology to keep bread mould-free for up to 2 months
The company, called Microzap, does what it's name implies because they created an oven that can kill mould bacterial in bread in just 10 seconds of exposure. They want to pioneer the oven to bakeries and bread makers in the world because it can help "alleviate food wastes", especially in the mass consumerist global north countries.
This is, to me, an example related to the issue of commodifying "green" and "sustainability". This is a private company who clearly wants to make profit by means of a "green cause" - to reduce food shortage. Through biotechnology, they claim they can solve the developed world's food crisis. I see examples of aerospace companies that want to develop "greener" aircrafts and technologies - should we allow privatisation of "greening" goals ? This goes a step further than commodifying and pricing natural resources like water, or even diamonds!
Also it could well work, because Microzap can increase the shelf life of bread, but it does not tackle the root of the problem: food wastage in society. This technology only works for bread - what about other perishable items like milk or vegetables? People have to change their attitudes and governments have to promote awareness for not wasting so much food. We should focus on that issue rather than promoting biotechnology to help us continue our wasteful lifestyles.
Second one is so interesting. Is it really true that an American company has developed new technology to keep bread mould-free for up to 2 months? Nice work the company is doing to educate people about saving food. I am so hopeful
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